Vanilla

If you have a question please let us know! We would love to hear from you!

Q.What is special about Cook’s pure vanilla extract?

What sets Cook’s apart is the expertise of passionate flavor chemists, a 100-year history in innovation and experimentation, and an artist’s appreciation for this exotic spice. Vanilla beans burst with more than 200 flavor components, which only extract can intensify. Raymond Lochhead helped to pioneer slow, cold, direct extraction to enhance each of these components. But the most important differentiation comes in the form of the beans we select for our extracts: vine-ripened and split, and carefully cured. Only good beans can make good vanilla, no matter what the process.We are entering another volatile phase in the vanilla market, which means that quality is plummeting while prices rise. We remain dedicated to sourcing only the finest beans—no matter the circumstances.

Q.Where do Cook’s vanilla beans originate?

We own a plantation in Fiji and run curing operations in Tonga, where we work directly with the growers to promote one-of-a-kind Tongan vanilla. We source beans from Madagascar, Tahiti, and Indonesia as well and are always investigating emerging vanilla markets. Where we find the highest quality, we buy.

Q.How many vanilla beans are in a gallon of vanilla extract?

Pure vanilla extract must contain at least 13-1/3 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon. Our formulas are proprietary, but that is the minimum. (For two-fold, three-fold, four-fold, etc vanilla extract, multiply that number by 13-1/3.)

Q.What is “Bourbon” vanilla?

Bourbon vanilla takes its name from the French Bourbon isles, including Madagascar, where French colonists propagated vanilla using the hand-pollination method devised by botanist Charles Morren in the 19th century. Pollination by hand revolutionized trade of the spice, once limited to Mexico. Thus, vanilla planifolia, the “classic” vanilla whose flavor profile is the most recognizable, became generally known as Bourbon vanilla.

Q.What is the difference between Natural, Organic, and Pure Vanilla Extracts?

Pure vanilla extracts are required by law to contain at least 35% alcohol and at least 13.35 ounces of vanilla bean per gallon. There must be no additional ingredients to the alcohol and what comes directly from the beans. For instance, Pure vanilla extracts must not be spiked with extra vanillin.Natural extracts contain all natural ingredients. There is no formal definition of a “natural” food in the USDA.

Organic extracts are Pure extracts whose ingredients have all been certified by CCOF and USDA as organic.

All of Cook’s Organic extracts are also Pure, and all of Cook’s Pure extracts are also Natural.

Q.Are your extracts GMO-free

Yes. We use pure and simple raw ingredients, which have not been processed in such a way to modify their proteins or DNA, in all our extracts, powders, and flavorings. In our own manufacturing, we do not subject our products to any process which would cause genetic modification.

Q.What is the difference in flavor profiles of Bourbon and Tahitian vanilla?

Bourbon vanilla, the most widely recognized vanilla in the world due to its universality, is musky and rich—although the dominant characteristics vary depending on the region in which its grown. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla carries hints of tobacco and rich fruit. Tongan Bourbon vanilla is sweeter, sharper, and exotic. Indonesian Bourbon is spicy and earthy.Tahitian vanilla, on the other hand, is sweet, creamy, and floral—unique and unforgettable.

Q.How can I use Pure Vanilla Powder?

Cook’s Pure Vanilla Powder, developed by Raymond Lochhead, was the first pure vanilla-alternative to vanilla extract on the market. It remains one of our most beloved products—found in protein shakes, pastries, and cafes all around the world.You can use it as a one-to-one substitution anywhere you would use Pure Vanilla Extract. Popular uses include flavor-plus-sweetening in coffee and espresso beverages, protein shakes, granola bars, pastry crusts, and more.

Q.How many teaspoons per ounce of Pure Vanilla Powder?

There are 7 teaspoons per ounce of Vanilla Powder.

Q.Which powders are free of corn-based ingredients?

Organic Vanilla Powder.

Q.Is your Pure Almond Extract allergen-free?

Yes. Our Pure Almond and Pure Organic Almond Extracts are allergen-free. They are not derived from nuts. The flavor is extracted from oil of bitter almond, which is derived from stone fruit pits. It is safe for anyone with a nut allergy.The Cook Flavoring Company / R.R. Lochhead Manufacturing Company facilities do not contain any nut or gluten products. We are an allergen-free facility, and make food quality and safety our first priority.

Q.How many calories and carbs in Pure Vanilla Powder?

There are 92 carbohydrates per 100 grams of Pure Vanilla Powder which converted is 368 Calories. (Multiply the number of carbohydrates by 4 to get the number of calories.) There are 16 calories per teaspoon.

Q.What is the alcohol base for Cook’s products?

Corn alcohol. It is gluten-free.

Q.Are your products gluten-free?

All our products are gluten-free!

Q.How many calories and carbs in Pure Organic Vanilla Powder?

Like Pure Vanilla Powder: 92 carbs per 100 grams of powder, and 16 calories per teaspoon.

Q.Which flavors are alcohol-free?

Q.What is the Organic Vanilla Powder base, if not dextrose?

Sucrose.

General Product Questions

Q.Why is the removal of terpenes critical for citrus extracts?

Terpenes are a natural waxy compound found in the peel of a citrus such as lemon or orange. The oil of citrus, pressed for extract, still contains these terpenes, which in turn turn the oil rancid and harsh. By removing them, we guarantee a fresh extract with no rancidity problem and a very long shelf life.

Q.How much Bourbon Extract would be the equivalent of 8 oz of Bourbon?

You would use about 20 oz of Bourbon Extract.

Customer Support

Q.I am interested in purchasing product from Cook Flavoring Company / R.R. Lochhead Manufacturing Company. Where do I begin?

We take deep pride in our relationships with our customers, and would love to work with you directly to find the best vanilla or flavorings for your products. Please contact us directly at 1-800-735-0545 or cooks@cooksvanilla.com, and we will match you with a sales representative.

Q.My order did not go through, but my credit card was charged. Why?

Declines due to Address Verification System mismatch will lead to a hold on the authorized funds. The funds will remain on the customer’s card until the card issuing bank removes the authorization. As a result, the held funds may be subtracted from the customer’s available balance, and an online statement may reflect the authorization request which might be mistaken for an actual charge. Most card issuing banks will remove authorizations within 3-7 days if they are not claimed for settlement.

Q.Why was my order declined?

Usually orders are declined due to a mismatch of address, zip code, or security code. If all the information was correct, please call us at 800-735-0545.

Q.How much Pure Maple Extract should I use my recipe calls for imitation maple flavor?

Use a one-to-one substitution.

Q.Can I have a product shipped outside of the U.S.?

Yes, although these orders cannot be processed through our website. Please call us at 800-735-0545 or email cook@cooksvanilla.com.

Q.What are Cook’s shipping policies for wholesale and retail customers?

Shipping Rates

The rate charged for the shipping of your order is based on the weight of your products and your location. We always find the lowest possible rate, and do not charge handling.

Mail-order customers ordering through the website may search for the least expensive method through the shipping options tab.

Lost, stolen or damaged packagesCook Flavoring Company is not responsible or liable for any lost or stolen packages. The packages delivered by USPS or UPS are confirmed by the deliverer with a tracking number scan. Once the package is scanned and has left our facility, it is no longer the carrier or Cook Flavoring Companies’ responsibility.If your package is damaged please call 800-735-0545 or email cooks@cooksvanilla.com.

Q.For web retail orders: where does the offer of free shipping on $50 or more apply?

Free shipping on orders of $50 or more applies only to mail-order retail product shipped in the continental United States. It does not apply to international, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico orders.